Darshan of the Lalbaugcha Raja darshan: A long Queue

Mumbai:The countdown for darshan at Lalbaugcha Raja began early on Tuesday morning. Devotees stated queuing up as early as 4.45 am for a glimpse of the giant Ganesh idol, as darshan was scheduled to start from 6 am today. 

This being the 75th year of the Lalbaugcha Raja, the number of devotees is likely to swell like never before. Therefore, devotees said they didn't want to take any chances and opted to wait patiently in queue for more than 24-hours . 

Sunanda Nivendkar, 41, a resident of Shivaji Park, is a beautician. She said though she's been coming for Lord Ganesha's blessings every year, she would be deterred by the crowd. She would pray from a distance and return home. This year, however, Sunanda was determined to be the first one to touch the Lord's feet. She is the first in the queue. "I decided to stand in the queue this year. Taking no chances, I came here at 4.45 am on Tuesday when no one was around. My younger sister does not have a child despite five years of marriage. I hope Lord Ganesha answers my prayers for her." 

Madhavi Mahtre is a staff nurse at Godrej Hospital in Vikroli. She is second in line after Sunanda. She has been standing in the queue since 5.15 am on Tuesday. Since Madhavi stays at Lalbaug, it was a little easier for her to get to the pandal early. "A year ago, I had come here to pray since my brother did not have a child. Soon, he was blessed with a son. So I wanted to be among the first ones to make offerings. Every day during the festival I take mukhadrashan from a distance . But I always wanted to be among the first to touch the Lord's feet," says Madhavi . 

Devendra Hande, a teacher at Ghatkopar's Prerna School, came nearly at the same time and lost by a whisker to Madhavi and became the third person in the queue. "Two years ago, I was blessed with a daughter but I could not visit Lalbughcha Raja last year to thank the lord. Therefore, this year, I made sure I got here almost a day before the scheduled darshan and be among the first in the queue," says Devendra. 

During the 75th year of Lalbaugcha Raja, almost 5-7 lakh devotees are expected to visit the pandal everyday. 

A grand entrance and eight life-size elephant cut-outs have been put up this year. The set, put up for the first time, will reflect Maharashtrian culture and the history of the Ganesha festival. 

"For the convenience of devotees, we have put up fans and made arrangements for tea and breakfast," said Lalbaugcha Raja mandal's treasurer Raju Lanjawal, adding that organisers will monitor the devotees through CCTV cameras.